When we remember together, it takes on a different character. Rather than simply recalling the past, this communal remembrance brings the sacrifice of those who have given their lives for our freedom into the present day. Further, it somehow becomes eternally present whenever we gather to remember.
Does any of this sound familiar? Substitute Jesus for the person(s) you remember today, and this is the essence of the sacred Eucharist.
December 23: The O Antiphons reflections end today with O Emmanuel or God with us. O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God.
December 22: The O Antiphons reflections continue with O Rex Gentium or O King of All Nations. O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.
December 21 Antiphon: O Oriens (Dayspring) – On the shortest day of the year, the liturgy calls Christ the Dayspring, the Radiant Dawn. Christ is the radiant dawn who brings eternal life. What dark areas in your life need illuminated by Christ’s eternal light?
December 20: The O Antiphons continue with O Clavis or O Key of David. O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel, controlling at your will the gate of heaven: Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom.
To celebrate the launch of her new book, A Catholic Mother’s Companion to Pregnancy: Walking with Mary from Conception to Baptism, Sarah Reinhard invites us to pray the rosary together. The Practicing Catholic is the eighth stop on her Rosary Blog tour. Today, Sarah shares a reflection on the Wedding Feast at Cana.
In conjunction with Support a Catholic Speaker Month hosted at BrandonVogt.com, Lisa promotes the work of Fr. John Riccardo, a priest in the Archdiocese of Detroit, Michigan.
Joel shares a few thoughts about a part of the Mass that causes confusion for many: the sign of peace
Movements that transform cultures historically come from larger spiritual renewal. Congratulations to last week’s giveaway winner John Germain! Enter to win a your own copy of Indivisible! Simply leave a comment here. Next Wednesday, August 15, we will randomly select this week’s winner. Giveaway sponsored by The Maximus Group. You also can buy Indivisible from […]
The faithful should embrace this barb for what it really means. I had a Facebook dialog a few weeks ago with a couple Catholic friends who struggle with some of the Church’s teachings. The subject of the exchange was Rep. Paul Ryan’s budget proposal. One of them suggested he should be denied communion because he […]